What can I do with an infrared camera?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential uses and demonstrations that can be conducted with an infrared camera, particularly in a physics context. Participants explore various applications, including educational demonstrations, troubleshooting techniques, and experimental observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the camera to demonstrate i2R heating by photographing a resistor as part of a circuits unit.
  • Another participant proposes heating a chocolate bar in a microwave and using the camera to identify nodes and anti-nodes, potentially calculating the speed of light.
  • It is mentioned that the camera can capture IR remote control signals, which can be demonstrated by pointing the remote at the camera while pressing buttons.
  • Participants discuss using the camera to identify hot components on circuit boards in an electronics lab setting.
  • Suggestions include using the camera for troubleshooting heating/cooling leaks in buildings, checking tire tread temperatures, and observing high resistance junctions in electrical circuits.
  • One participant notes that the camera operates in the 8-12 um range, which is suitable for detecting anthropocentric heat sources, and suggests experiments involving different surface materials and emissivity effects.
  • Another idea involves checking for temperature differences in handprints left on a mug after holding it, comparing warm and cold hands.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the various applications and demonstrations possible with the infrared camera, but there is no consensus on a definitive list of best practices or experiments.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on the specific temperature range of the camera and its capabilities, such as video recording and emissivity correction. Limitations regarding safety, such as not pointing the camera at the sun or CO2 lasers, are also noted.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and educators in physics, engineering, and electronics, as well as hobbyists interested in practical applications of infrared technology.

Taulant Sholla
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I just inherited an infrared camera (https://www.flir.com/products/c2/). Other than taking entertaining thermographs (cold ice cube in a warm hand, etc.), can you recommend some clever demonstrations I could show to my fellow calc-based physics students?

The best I came up with is taking a picture of a resistor to show i2R heating as part of our unit on circuits

Then a friend suggested heating a large chocolate bar in a microwave for a few moments, then take a thermograph to identifying the nodes/anti-nodes, and calculating the speed of light. This seems like a fantastic idea!

Do you have any others?
 
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Does it take video too? If so, you can see the IR Remote Control signal if you point it at the camera and press buttons. (you can also see that on many smartphone cameras, but less bright)

If you have access to some open circuit boards that are running, you can see which components are the hottest. We use a FLIR camera for that purpose here in our electronics R&D Lab. :smile:
 
Taulant Sholla said:
I just inherited an infrared camera (https://www.flir.com/products/c2/). Other than taking entertaining thermographs (cold ice cube in a warm hand, etc.), can you recommend some clever demonstrations I could show to my fellow calc-based physics students?

The best I came up with is taking a picture of a resistor to show i2R heating as part of our unit on circuits

Then a friend suggested heating a large chocolate bar in a microwave for a few moments, then take a thermograph to identifying the nodes/anti-nodes, and calculating the speed of light. This seems like a fantastic idea!

Do you have any others?

Cool- it uses the 8-12 um range (LWIR). That's best for 'anthropocentric' hot things- the range of temperatures that we can generally tolerate. Have fun playing around with this!

Here's something to try- I believe a thin sheet of plastic (like a viewgraph) is opaque to this range of wavelengths; you can 'hide' behind one! Likewise, I believe you could 'see' through smoke; try viewing through a smoky BBQ.

DO NOT point it at the sun! DO NOT try and view a CO2 laser!

You could probably walk through a parking lot and determine which cars arrived most recently.

On the 'science' side, leave an assortment of painted, rusted, and polished metal 'coupons' in the sun and after they warm up, see what the camera tells you: the surface paint/polish/rust/etc. changes the emissivity, which will negate the camera calibration (that's the 'emissivity correction' function). The metal parts will seem to have different temperatures optically, but they will have the same temperatures when measured with a thermocouple.
 
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These sound *great* Andy - thank you!
 
If the temperature range is adequate, thermographs are great for troubleshooting.
  • Heating/cooling leaks in houses.
  • Worn bearings on electric motors or wheel bearings on cars.
  • Tire tread temperatures on auto or bicycle tires after a trip.
  • A high resistance junction in any electric circuit inside or outside.
  • Physics demo, sandpaper on wood.
  • Grab a mug with cold or warm water. See if it leaves a hand print for a short time. Will the other hand look the same as the one grabbing?
You could make a very long list.
 
anorlunda said:
If the temperature range is adequate, thermographs are great for troubleshooting.
  • Heating/cooling leaks in houses.
  • Worn bearings on electric motors or wheel bearings on cars.
  • Tire tread temperatures on auto or bicycle tires after a trip.
  • A high resistance junction in any electric circuit inside or outside.
  • Physics demo, sandpaper on wood.
  • Grab a mug with cold or warm water. See if it leaves a hand print for a short time. Will the other hand look the same as the one grabbing?
You could make a very long list.
Thanks for these suggestions!
 
berkeman said:
Does it take video too? If so, you can see the IR Remote Control signal if you point it at the camera and press buttons. (you can also see that on many smartphone cameras, but less bright)

If you have access to some open circuit boards that are running, you can see which components are the hottest. We use a FLIR camera for that purpose here in our electronics R&D Lab. :smile:
Great ideas, thank you!
 

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